Job cuts possible at Royal Cornwall Hospital

Nearly 700 jobs could be axed at Cornwall’s main hospital over the next five years, it has been announced.

A report to go to Thursday’s board meeting of the Royal Cornwall Hospital Trust (RCHT) said the reduction was necessary as the organisation wrestles with spending pressures on its £309million budget during a time of unprecedented change in the NHS.

Unions condemned the move as “outrageous” and said they had not been consulted on the wide ranging changes to staffing despite regular meetings between them and trust bosses.

However, Jo Gibbs, RCHT lead for human resources and organisational development said RCHT “must adapt and be flexible” to meet future challenges.